Published April 14, 2009

SPH Q2 net profit down 12.6% at $87m

Economic slowdown hits advertising sales; property revenue up 33%

By TEH SHI NING

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SINGAPORE Press Holdings (SPH) yesterday reported a 12.6 per cent drop in second-quarter net profit to $87 million, from $99.6 million a year ago, as the economic slowdown hit advertising revenue and profits from its print media business.

Related links: Click here for SPH's news release Fact sheets Unaudited financial results Presentation slides

For the three months ended Feb 28, 2009, SPH's recurring earnings fell 16 per cent to $93.8 million, and its investment portfolio lost $0.1 million versus a gain of $5.1 million a year ago. Its share of losses from associates and joint ventures was $4.2 million, versus a share of profits of $2.6 million a year back.

Earnings per share for the quarter fell to five cents from six cents in Q2 2008. The group's net asset value per share was $1.16 at Feb 28, 2009, down from $1.30 at Aug 31, 2008.

Revenue fell 3.7 per cent to $287.2 million.

The core newspaper and magazine segment saw a 13.5 per cent drop in revenue to $204.6 million. Print advertisement sales fell 18.8 per cent to $145.9 million due to fewer recruitment and display ads. But circulation revenue rose $1.5 million as newspapers' cover prices were raised last October.

The decline in revenue from the print business offset a 32.9 per cent rise to $72.2 million in revenue from the property segment, with the ongoing Sky@eleven development and Paragon shopping mall contributing $16.3 million and $1.3 million respectively to the increase.

The group's total operating expenses rose 3 per cent to $195.7 million.

Materials, consumables, and broadcasting costs rose 15.5 per cent, due to a 23.8 per cent jump in newsprint costs. Property development costs for Sky@eleven, recognised as more of the project is completed, rose 66.2 per cent to $11.5 million.

Staff costs fell 13.6 per cent to $69.4 million due to lower bonus provisions, despite total headcount as at February rising to 4,016 from 3,814 a year back. SPH's recent wage cuts took effect only this month.

For the six months ended Feb 28, 2009, the group's net profit fell 24.3 per cent to $160.1 million, from $211.5 million a year ago. Earnings per share for the half-year were 10 cents, three cents down from H1 2008.

Investment income swung from a profit of $15 million in H1 2008, to a $33.8 million loss in H1 2009, and revenue from the newspaper and magazine segment fell 8.8 per cent to $454 million. Overall operating revenue rose 2.8 per cent year-on-year to $627.4 million.

'The recession in Singapore is expected to last through 2009 and this would have a continued impact on advertising revenue,' the group said.

Newsprint charge-out rates are expected to remain high for the year, and to moderate in FY2010. The group's investment portfolio will also continue to be affected by financial market volatility, SPH said.

The property segment is expected to contribute significantly to recurring profits. Paragon will 'face downward pressure on retail and office rents, but is expected to provide a recurrent income stream' along with progressively recognised profit from Sky@eleven.

SPH chief executive Alan Chan said: 'Trading conditions are expected to remain uncertain until we can see a clear recovery in the economy.'

SPH will pay an interim cash dividend of seven cents per share on May 20, one cent below that paid a year ago. Its shares closed nine cents up at $2.89 yesterday.